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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 18, 1986 · Cessna 172 · N8976B

Oroville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oroville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N8976B
Operator
Howard L Omdahl
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA334

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 172 FLEW LOW OVER A RESERVOIR WITH THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A HARD RIGHT TURN STALL AND DESCEND INTO THE WATER. THE UNINJURED PILOT EXITED THE SINKING AIRCRAFT AND WAS RESCUED BY SOME NEARBY FISHERMEN. THEY TOOK THE PILOT TO THE SHORE, DROPPED HIM OFF, AND HE HASN'T BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 300 FEET OF WATER. IT WAS NOT REPORTED WHETHER THE ACFT WAS EVER RECOVERED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 172 FLEW LOW OVER A RESERVOIR WITH THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A HARD RIGHT TURN STALL AND DESCEND INTO THE WATER. THE UNINJURED PILOT EXITED THE SINKING AIRCRAFT AND WAS RESCUED BY SOME NEARBY FISHERMEN. THEY TOOK THE PILOT TO THE SHORE, DROPPED HIM OFF, AND HE HASN'T BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 300 FEET OF WATER. IT WAS NOT REPORTED WHETHER THE ACFT WAS EVER RECOVERED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN8976B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward L Omdahl
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data